Fluid dispensing apparatus for concrete mixers



June 19, 1951 R. A. LONIER Q 2,557,386

FLUID DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR CONCRETE MIXERS Filed June '3, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

R. A. LONIER FLUID DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR CONCRETE MIXERS June 19, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. v Qlwzwr;

Y Q M E .L J 1 m 4 w 1% 2 3m 3 3 W 6 a w w m 1 mw k 6 Filed June 3, 1948 Patented June 19, 1951 TENT OFFICE- FLUID DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR. CONCRETE MIXERS Randolph A. Lonier, Riverside; Ill., assi'gnor to Edgar W. Zimmerman, Chicago, Ill.

Application June 3, 1948, Serial No. 30,926

6 Claims.

.as anaerating or air entraining agent. which has the effect of causing individual particles of aggregate. to be surrounded or enveloped by layers or pockets of air.

Theinclusion of such additives has a desirable. effect on. the work? ability and plasticity of the concrete and imparts improved structural properties and durability to the concrete for many purposes.

In theuse of concrete on a large scale, such as. in road construction work, the concrete is usually prepared by means of power driven mixing devices which operate to prepare successive large batches of concrete from proportioned quantities of the various ingredients. Concrete mixers of this type are commonly provided with a pivotally mounted loading skip into which a batch of dry mix comprising cement and aggregate is dumped when the skip is in lowered position. The skip is then raised to an elevated position for discharging the dry mix into a rotating mixing drum. Provision is also made for discharging a quantity of water into the mixing drum along with the dry mix.

A primary object of my invention is to provide, in a concrete mixer having a mixing drum and a loading skip, an apparatus for automatically dispensing a measured quantity of a fluid additive into saiddrum in response to movement of said skipinto discharging position.

A further object of the invention is to provide, ina concrete mixer, an apparatus and controls for introducing measured quantities of water and a fluid additive simultaneously into the mixi'ng drum of the mixer.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in a. concrete mixer having a mixing drum and a loading skip, interrelated systems for supplying measured amounts of water and a fluid additive: to said drum in response to movement of said skip.

Still another object of the invention is to provide, in a concrete mixer having a mixing drum and a loading skip, a. fluid additive supply system comprising a dispensing chamber for in; troducing a measured quantity of additive into said drum in response to upward movementof said skip and a supply tank for filling said chamber with a measured quantity of additive in response to downward movement of the skip.

An additional objectof the invention is'to provide in a concrete mixer having amixin'g drum and a loading skip, interrelated supply systems having outlet valves adapted. to. be opened in response to movement of said skip for introducing measured quantities of waterand a; fluid additive into said drum, the outlet valve for the fluid additive system being adapted to be operated first upon upward movement of said skip and the outlet valve for the water system being adapted to be operated at a later time during upward movement of said skip.

Other objects and advantages will become evident from the subsequent detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings in which: i v V Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a. paving machine comprising a concrete mixer embodying one specific form of the fluid additive dispensing: apparatus of my invention;

Fig. 2' is a diagrammatic view, partially in section, of the interrelated water supply and fluid additive supply systems for the machine shown in Fig. 1;,

Fig. 3. is. an enlarged vertical sectional, vie of the fluid additive dispensing chamber, shown in. elevation in Figs. 1 and 2, with the control valve in position for filling the chamber;

Fig. lis; an enlarged sectional view of the three-way valve: shown at the. bottom of the dispensing chamber in Fig. 3' but with the valve in. position for discharging. the contents of the chamber; and,

Fig. 5 is a. transverse sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Referring first to Fig. 1,. one specific formof my invention is shown therein, merely by way of example, as installed. inthe concrete mixer section of: a road. paving machine. The paving machine comprises traction. crawlers shown at .6, a rotary mixer drum 1, a pivotally supported loading .sln'p 8 operated by a cable. hoists, a swingable boom. shown fragmentarily at H, and a discharge bucket l2 mounted for rolling longitudinal movement: along the boom H. The paving machine is also provided with a water supply system comprising a water inlet conduit F3, a: sediment chamber [4, a water storage-tank 1.6-, and. an adjacent measuring or dispensing 3 chamber I'i, all of which are described hereinafter in greater detail. A fluid additive supply system, to which the present invention is particularly directed, is also provided and comprises a supply tank I8 for the fluid additive mounted below the water tank I6, a measuring and dispensing chamber I9 communicating with the tank I8 by means of a conduit 2|, a three-way valve 22 disposed below the chamber I9 and in communication therewith, and a valve actuating lever 23 operably cormected to the valve 22 and to the skip 8 for operating the valve in response to movement of the skip.

Referring now to Figs. 2-5, inclusive, the operation and interrelation of the water supply and fluid additive supply systems will be described in detail.

Water under pressure is admitted through the inlet pipe I3 to the sediment chamber |4 containing a plurality of baffles 24 which cause sedimentation of dirt and other foreign matter in the water. The sediment-free water flows upwardly from the chamber I4 through a conduit 26 and thence downwardly through a connecting conduit 21 and into an inlet stub 28 at the bottom of the storage tank IS. The stub 28 is provided with an enlarged section or valve chamber 29 having a valve member 30 disposed therein. When the valve 38 is in closed position, as shown in Fig. 2, the water flows upwardly through the stub 28 for filling the storage tank I6. A ball float 3| is provided in the tank I6 and when the water level therein has reached its uppermost position, as shown at 32 in Fig. 2, the float 3| closes an air vent, shown in elevation at 33, thereby stopping the flow of water into the tank I6 as the back pressure therein balances the line pressure in the inlet pipe I3.

Mounted for vertical movement in the measuring chamber I1 is an adjustable head or partition 34 carried on a vertical shaft 35 and adapted to be raised or lowered by means of a pair of bevel gears 36 for adjusting the volume of the chamber I1. Upon opening of the valve 30, in a manner hereinafter described, water flows by gravity from the tank I6, through the stub 28 and valve chamber 29, and into the chamber |1 filling the space below the partition 34 with the desired volume of water. An air vent tube 31 projects upwardly from the partition 34 for venting air from the chamber |1 during the filling operation. In the event that the water level in the tank I6 is higher than the level reached by the water in the chamber I1 below the partition 34, the water rises in the tube 31 until it reaches the same level as in the tank I6. The relatively small volume of water thereby flowing into the tube 31 is negligible in comparison with the volume contained in the chamber |1 below the partition 34 and the accuracy of the chamber H in dispensing measured volumes of water is not affected significantly. A water outlet 38 is providedat the bottom of the chamber I1 and an outlet valve 39 controls the flow of water therefrom. Upon opening of the valve 39, by means subsequently described, the measured volume of water in the chamber |1 flows through the outlet 38 and thence into a conduit 4| discharging into the mixing drum 1.

The valves 30 and 39 are carried on valve stems 42 and 43, respectively, and are operated selectively through mechanical linkages (Fig, 2) comprising a link member 44 depending from the valve stem 42 and pivotally connected to one end of a cross link 46, and a link member 41 depending from the valve stem 43 and pivotally connected to the cross link 46 intermediate the ends thereof. Another link member 48 extends upwardly from a pivotal connection at the opposite end of the cross link 46 and is pivotally secured to a crank arm 49 carried by a transverse rock shaft 5|. An arm 52 extends laterally from the opposite end of the shaft 5| and is pivotally attached to a link member 53 which is in turn pivotally secured adjacent the inner end of the skip 8 by means of a pin 56 projecting from the side of the skip 8.

When the skip 8 is in lowered position (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2) for loading a batch of dry mix, the crank arm 49 and the link 48 are thrust downwardly causing the cross link 46 to be depressed at its left end (as viewed in Fig. 2) and thereby closing the outlet valve 39 and raising the valve 30 to its open position whereupon water flows from the tank I6 into the chamber H, as previously described. When the skip 8 is raised for discharging its contents into the mixing drum 1, the arm 52 and the link 53 pivot and the mechanical movement is ultimately transmitted through the arm 52, the shaft 5|, the arm 49, and the link 48 to raise the left end of the cross link 46 thereby opening the discharge valve 39 and closing the valve 38, which positions are illustrated in full lines in Fig. 2. At this point the measured volume of water flows from the chamber I1 through the outlet 38 and the conduit 4| into the mixing drum 1, and the supply of water in the tank I6 is replenished by filling through the conduits 26 and 21 and the stub 28, as hereinbefore described.

The tank I8 mounted below the water storage tank I6 is adapted to contain an adequate supply of a fluid additive of any desired type, such as an aerating or air entraining liquid, which is required to be supplied in relatively small amounts to each batch of concrete mix. A gauge glass 51 is attached at one end of the tank I8 connecting the upper portion of the tank with the withdrawal conduit 2| for indicating the fullness of the tank which may be filled manually as required.

The measuring and dispensing chamber I9 (Fig. 3) comprises an upright cylinder 58 having an outlet 59 at the bottom thereof. The volume of fluid additive contained in the cylinder 58 is regulated by means of a vertically adjustable piston 60 mounted on the end of a thick-walled pipe 6| which extends through a split bushing 62 disposed in an opening 63 at the top of the cylinder 58. A handle portion 64 is attached to the upper end of the pipe 6| for raising and lowering the latter to position the piston at the desired height within the cylinder 58, the pipe 6| being secured in the desired position by means of a setscrew 65 which compresses the split bushing 62. Calibrations or scale marks (not shown) may be provided on the outside of the pipe 6| for indicating different volume settings. A vent tube 66 extends through a bushing 61 in the end of the pipe 6| and seats on a shoulder portion 68 formed in the wall of the pipe 6| by an enlarged bore portion 69. The tube 66 projects above the handle portion 64 for venting air from the cylinder 58 during filling thereof.

The three-way valve 22 is threadedly secured the inlet 59 of the cylinder 58 and comprises a T-shaped body portion or casting 10 having a central port 1| communicating with the chamber inlet 59 and end ports 12 and 13 on either side thereof. A movable plug or cylinder member 14 is rotatably mounted in the body portion '10 and is provided with a pair of ports 16 and 11 disposed containing a block valve 8| extends from the additive supply tank i8 and the lower end of the gauge glass t"! to the end port -2 of the valve 22, and another conduit 82 extends from the end'port 7 3 in the valve 22 and merges into the conduit 4! through a fitting 83, the end portion of the-conduit 82 being bent, as at 84, to extend in the direction of flow through the conduit 4! and concentric therewith. A T 86 having a drain plug and a block valve 8? are also provided in the conduit '82.

'When the skip 8 is in lowered or loading position, the lever 23 is disposed in a downwardly extending direction thereby aligning the ports 16 and 1-1 of the rotary member 14 with the ports 12 and 11, respectively, in the valve body N! (-Fig.

'3'). In this position of the three-way valve 22,

fluid additive flows from the tank [8 through the "conduit 2! and the valve 22 into the cylinder 58,

air being vented from the cylinder 58 during the small volume of excess fluid in the pipe 6| and the tube 66 is negligible in comparison with the larger volume of additive contained in the cylinder 58 and the accuracy of measurement of the chamber I9 is, therefore, not affected to any sub stantial degree.

When the skip 8 is raised to its elevated or discharging position, the lever 23 is raised to an upwardly extending position thereby rotating the plug member 14 and aligning the ports 16 hand 17 thereof with the ports H and 73,;respectively, of the valve body (Fig. 4). In this position of the valve 22, the measured volume of fluid additive contained in the chamber I 9 is discharged by gravity through the valve 22 and the conduit 82 "and flows simultaneously with the water from engagement with the skip 8, is actuated almost immediately as the skip starts its upward movement :and thus the three-Way Valve 22 controlling the discharge of the fluid additive is progressivelyopened during substantially the entiredischarge period of the loading cycle. As the skip .8 continues in its upward travel and approaches its uppermost position, the link 53 and the arms 52 and 49 on the rock shaft 5| are moved upwardly. This upward movement is transmitted through the link 48 and the cross link 46 thereby lifting and opening thewater discharge valve 39 at approximately the same time as the fluid additive control valve 22 becomes completely open.

The timed or staggered opening of the additive and water discharge valves is important for several reasons. From Fig. 1 and the schematic view shown in Fig. :2, it will be seen that the discharge conduit 82 from the fluid additive dispensingchamber J9 merges into the outlet confrom the valve 39.

duit 4| from the water chamber I 1. From that point on, fluid additive and water flow simultaneously through the common pipe or conduit 4| to the mixing drum 1. Therefore, it will be apparent that if the water valve 39 were opened first, or even at the same time as the fluid additive valve 22, .a significant initial quantity of water free of the fluid additive would be discharged from the chamber I7 and through the conduit 41 into the mixing drum '1. However, by arranging the valve opening means, as here- 'inbefore described, so that the valve 22 begins to discharge fluid additive before the flow :of water begins from the valve 39, any undesirable lag is eliminated for all practical purposes, and

substantially all the water is introduced into the mixing drum 7 in .desiredcommingled state with the fluid additive. Thus, the valve controls of my device facilitate equal distribution of the relatively small amount of fluid additive with the much larger amount of water from chamber ll.

In addition to the inherent lag in the flow of fluid additive caused .by the extra lengthof the discharge conduit .82 before it merges with the conduit 4!, the flow of additive may also ,be delayed incertain cases as a result of its viscosity or other inherent flow characteristics. If the additive fluid is of anion: viscous :or flow resistant nature than water, an interval of time must :be permitted for the slower flowing additive ,totravel through the conduit .82 and reach the juncture with the conduit .4! before the Water discharges Thus, the actuation .of the valve Opening lever 23 in my device before the opening or" the valve 39 by the operating linkages :53 .et see. {also serves to obviate this additional cause of lag in the flow of Lthefluid additive.

.In addition, the .flow of .fluid additive through the conduit 82 is also facilitated by the provision of the elbow or bend 134 at the endof the conduit 82 within the conduit 4.! The water flowing downwardly through the larger conduit .41 and sweeping past the concentric outlet of the conduit 82 creates an aspirator or flow-accelerating effect tending tohasten the discharge of additive into the water stream.

Accordingly, my invention provides for sequential opening of the fluid additive and water :discharge valves, in the order named, in response-to raising :movement of the loading skip whereby simultaneous discharge into the mixing drum of water and additive in commingled state is insured. Thus, in the case of a fluid additive comprising an aerating or air entraining agent, substantially all of the aggregate particles in each batch of dry mixreceiv-e-the desired air films or pockets during the wetting and mixing operation.

Although my invention'has been described with particular emphasis on the use of a fluid additive comprising an aerating or air entraining agent, it is to be understood that the apparatus is also adapted for use with any desired type of fluid additive having additional or difierent functions and properties. For example, fluid coloring agents or waterproofing compounds 7 scope 01 the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a concrete mixer having a mixing drum and a pivotally mounted loading skip adapted to receive a quantity of dry mix when in lowered position and adapted to discharge said mix into said drum when in raised position, an apparatus for simultaneously supplying to said drum measured quantities of water and a fluid additive, such as an air entraining agent, said apparatus comprising a water dispensing chamber, a valve for controlling the flow of water from said chamber to said drum, a dispensing chamber for said fluid additive in communication with said drum for supplying additive thereto by gravity flow, a valve for controlling the gravity flow of additive from said last mentioned chamber to said drum, and separate valve-actuating means for each of said valves for opening the valves in response to raising of said skip, the valve-actuating means for said last-mentioned valve being operable to discharge fluid additive from said last-mentioned chamber upon upward movement of the skip and the valve-actuating means for said first-mentioned valve being operable to discharge water from said water-dispensing chamber at a subsequent point in the upward movement of the skip whereby gravity flow of fluid additive from its chamber is started before the flow of water from the water chamber.

2. In a concrete mixer having a mixing drum and a pivotally mounted loading skip adapted to receive a quantity of dry mix when in lowered position and adapted to discharge said mix into said drum when in raised position, an apparatus for simultaneously supplying to said drum measured quantities of water and a fluid additive, such as an air entraining agent, said apparatus comprising a water dispensing chamber, a conduit connecting said chamber with said mixing drum, a valve for controlling the fiow of water from said chamber, a dispensing chamber for said fluid additive, a conduit connecting said lastmentioned chamber With said first-mentioned I;

conduit for supplying additive to said drum by gravity flow, a valve for controlling the gravity flow of additive from said last-mentioned chambar, and separate valve actuating means for each of said valves for opening the valves in response to raising of said skip, the valve-actuating means for said last-mentioned valve being operable to discharge fluid additive from said last-mentioned chamber upon upward movement of the skip and the valve-actuating means for said first-mentioned valve including lever means operably connected to said first-mentioned valve and operably engageable by said skip at a subsequent point in its upward movement whereby water is discharged from said water-dispensing chamber into said first-named conduit after the flow of additive thereto has started.

3. In a concrete mixer having a mixingdrum and a pivotally mounted loading skip adapted to receive a quantit of dry mix when in lowered position and adapted to discharge said mix into said drum when in raised position, an apparatus for simultaneously supplying to said drum measured quantities of water and a fluid additive, such as an air entraining agent, said apparatus comprising a waer dispensing chamber, a conduit connecting said chamber with said mixing drum, a valve for controlling the flow of water from said chamber, a dispensing chamber for said fluid additive, a conduit extending from said 8 last mentioned chamber and merging concentrically within said first-mentioned conduit for supplying additive to said drum by gravity flow, the discharge end of said last-mentioned conduit being turned in the direction of flow through said first-mentioned conduit, a valve for controlling the gravity flow of additive from said last-mentioned chamber, and separate valve actuating means for each of said valves for opening the valves in response to raising of said skip, the valve-actuating means for said last-mentioned valve being operable to discharge fluid additive from said last-mentioned chamber upon upward movement of the skip and the valve-actuating means for said first-mentioned valve being operable to discharge water from said water-dispensing chamber at a subsequent point in the upward movement of the skip whereby gravity flow of fluid additive from its chamber is started before the flow of water from the water chamber.

4. In a concrete mixer having a mixing drum and a pivotally mounted loading skip adapted to receive a quantity of dry mix when in lowered position and adapted to discharge said mix into said drum when in raised position, an apparatus for supplying to said drum measured quantities of water and a fluid additive such as an air entraining agent, said apparatus comprising a water dispensing chamber having a valve for controlling the flow of water therefrom, a separate dispensing chamber for said fluid additive having a valve for controlling the flow of additive therefrom, a conduit connecting said first-mentioned chamber with said mixing drum, a second conduit communicating with said last mentioned chamber and merging with said first mentioned conduit for supplying additive to said drum by gravity flow, and valve actuating levers operably connected to each of said valves and to said skip and adapted to be moved for opening said valves upon raising of said skip, the lever connected to said last-mentioned valve being operable to discharge fluid additive from said last-mentioned chamber upon upward movement of the skip and the lever connected to said first-mentioned valve being operably engageable by said skip at a subsequent point in its upward movement whereby the gravit flow of fluid additive from its chamber is started before the flow of water from the water chamber.

5. In a concrete mixer having a mixing drum and a pivotally mounted loading skip adapted to receive a quantity of dry mix when in lowered position and adapted to discharge said mix into said drum when in raised position, an apparatus for supplying to said drum measured quantities of water and a fluid additive, such as an air entraining agent, said apparatus comprising a water dispensing chamber having a valve for controlling the flow of Water therefrom, a conduit connecting said chamber with said mixing drum, a supply tank for said additive, a dispensing chamber for said additive, a three-way valve having a valve body with ports therein and a rotary member, said valve communicating through one of said ports with the lower portion of said lastmentioned chamber, a conduit connecting another of said ports with said tank, a conduit connecting a third port in said valve with said firstnamed conduit for supplying additive from said last mentioned chamber to said drum by gravity flow, a valve operating lever operably a'flixed at one end to said rotary member and operably engaged at its other end with said skip whereby when said skip is in lowered position said addiwater chamber into said first-named conduit after the flow of additive thereto has started.

6. In a concrete mixer having a mixing drum, a loading skip, and a water supply system for introducing measured quantities of water into said drum in response to raising of said skip; an apparatus for introducing into said drum by gravity flow a measured quantity of a fluid additive, such as an air entraining agent, simultaneously with said water, said apparatus comprising an upright cylindrical chamber having an inlet at its lower end, a piston slidably disposed in said chamber and adapted to be secured at any desired elevation above the bottom of said chamber, an unobstructed air vent extending through said piston outside said chamber, a three-way valve communicating with said inlet, a supply tank for said additive, a conduit connecting said tank with said valve for gravity filling of said chamber, a conduit connecting said valve with said mixing drum for supplying additive thereto by gravity flow, and lever means operably connected to said three-way valve and operable by movement of said skip for permitting said additive to flow from said tank to said chamber when said skip is in lowered position and for permitting the contents of said chamber to be discharged by gravity into said mixing drum simultaneously with the flow of water thereto when said skip is in raised position.

RANDOLPH A. LON'IER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,316,528 Wooten et al Sept. 16, 1919 1,523,548 Lichtenberg- Jan. 20, 1925 1,660,777 Allen Feb. 28, 1928 1,668,185 Allen May 1, 1928 1,696,751 Burket r. Dec. 25, 1928 1,789,064 Borislavsky Jan. 13, 1931 1,794,995 Voglsamer Mar. 3, 1931 

